Comprimario

Stephanie Vlahos' staging was efficient and the performances she elicited effective, particularly from old pros at the LA Opera like Greg Fedderly, Cedric Berry, and Robin Buck, who traded in their usual comprimario assignments at LAO for the more prominent Magi roles here. ❋ Rodney Punt (2010)

Some comprimario and secondo roles were doubled up: Vladimir Hristov was both a George Clooney-suave Marchese d'Obigny and a bland Dr. Grenvil; Giorgio Dinev, previously seen enjoyably blustering as Tosca's Spoletta, doddered formulaically as Violetta's servant, but had mischevious sparkle as Gastone — having introduced his friend Alfredo to Violetta, he worked the room, pointing out his handiwork to the other guests, a proud yenta. ❋ Matthew Guerrieri (2008)

Then there's this one, from Tokyo in 1967, sung by two Italian basses of the second rank, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (Philip) and Antonio Zerbini (who did mostly comprimario roles, small parts that need a good singer). ❋ Jaime J. Weinman (2008)

Mr. Franke was a comprimario - a character actor of the operatic world. ❋ By MARGALIT FOX (2011)

He may get the girl, but not before the comprimario has the chance to cause satisfying mayhem. ❋ By MARGALIT FOX (2011)

Though comprimario roles are small, they are often - be they comic or sinister - plummier than principal parts. ❋ By MARGALIT FOX (2011)

Frankly I do not understand the reason for such splurge: one of these roles is a downright comprimario part, and two others don't have the music to make them stand out. ❋ Ercole Farnese (2010)

Chattanooga Symphony and has performed comprimario roles with the Chattanooga Opera. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Venerable comprimario Heinz Zednick went through some well-studied motions as the "Ringmaster" but lacked spontaneity (man, did he sleepwalk through the curtain call - "this finished yet?"). ❋ Unknown (2008)

(This is one of two interpolated showpieces Donizetti wrote for a Paris revival of the work that upgraded the comprimario tenor part of Gondì to a lead for star mezzo ❋ Unknown (2010)